Motor Vehicle Power Supply Relay Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply devices for motor vehicle computers cannot detect failures in the relay stage, such as short circuits, which lead to unnecessary battery discharge due to continuous power transmission to equipment, and are undetectable by the logic unit during operation or shutdown.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wake-up means that transmits an additional control voltage to the voltage regulator when the power relay continues to transmit power voltage, even in the absence of a control voltage, allowing the logic unit to detect failures by monitoring the control voltage state during start-up or sleep attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power relay continuously transmits power voltage to the voltage regulator, then the logic unit remains powered and operational, but battery discharge occurs unnecessarily when the relay fails due to short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the logic unit monitors the control voltage input from the control member. When the relay fails and continuously transmits power, the logic unit detects the abnormal control voltage state and responds by shutting down the voltage regulator, thereby stopping battery discharge. This feedback loop enables the system to detect relay failures and take corrective action to prevent energy waste.
2Loss of energy
If the logic unit shuts down to conserve energy, then battery discharge is prevented, but the system cannot detect relay stage failures during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing relay failure detection during the start-up phase before the logic unit enters sleep mode. The system monitors control voltage states during this critical period when the relay should be actively controlled. By detecting abnormalities in the control voltage pattern during start-up, the system can identify relay failures before shutting down, thus maintaining both energy efficiency and detection capability.
3Ease of operation
If the voltage regulator receives continuous control voltage from the control member, then the power relay is continuously controlled, but relay failures such as short circuits become undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The logic unit continuously monitors the control voltage received from the control member and compares it against expected operational patterns. When the relay fails due to short circuit, the control voltage pattern becomes abnormal (continuously present when it should be absent). The feedback mechanism detects this anomaly and triggers appropriate error handling, enabling failure detection while maintaining continuous power supply during normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection and diagnosis of relay stage failures, preventing unnecessary battery discharge and allowing the logic unit to initiate corrective actions by maintaining power supply and waking up the system when a failure is detected.
Implementation Method 1
The power relay 3, comprising a contactor 5 and a coil 4, transmits said power voltage 2 when it is controlled, that is, when its coil 4 is excited.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power supply device for a logic unit (1), includes a control member (7) that can transmit a control voltage (6), a power relay (3), transmitting a power voltage (2) when it is controlled, an electronic stage (8) controlling the power relay (3) when the electronic stage (8) receives a control voltage (6, 22) from the control member (7) or from the logic unit (1), a voltage regulator (12) transmitting a power supply voltage (20) to the logic unit (1) when it receives the power voltage (2) from the power relay (3) and a control voltage (6, 23) and a wake-up element (17) capable of transmitting an additional control voltage (24) to the voltage regulator (12) when the power relay (3) transmits the power voltage (2). The power supply is applicable to motor vehicle computers and to the detection of failure of the relay stage (3, 8).